Character Building

Benjamin Franklin employs a garden analogy in his plan for moral perfection.

“I determined to give a week’s strict attention to each of the virtues successfully. . . . Proceeding thus to the last, I could go through a course complete in thirteen weeks and four courses in a year. And like him who, having a garden to weed, does not attempt to eradicate all the bad herbs at once, which would exceed his reach and strength, but works on one of the beds at a time, and, having accomplished the first, proceeds to a second.”-Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin's Method of Character Building

Summary and Application​ of the Garden Allegory

While still in his twenties, Benjamin Franklin realized he had many faults and decided to embark on a “bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection.” He created a list of virtues and then catalogued them into 13 categories. To avoid confusion about what each virtue meant, Franklin added a short precept to express the extent he gave to its meaning. Not wanting to leave anything to chance in his attempt to master the thirteen virtues, he devised a “method” to expunge each bad habit, one week at a time, and recorded his progress in a “little book.” ​

These virtues have helped to make America an orderly and prosperous nation. And isn’t there something especially American about Franklin’s list? His list and his “plan” in many ways represent the beginning of a long American tradition of self improvement. ​

The following diagram and summary illustrates how to use the garden allegory to develop good habits and character traits.

Seed Selection: Identify a virtue, principle or idea that you want to incorporate into your memory and character. It may be one of the 13 virtues in Benjamin Franklin's list, or it may be a more specific virtue that falls into one of the 13 categories. Capture the inspiration and guidance that comes during prayer, Bible study, listening to good music or reading good books. Take note of the virtues you want to incorporate into your character. Give yourself the freedom to be specific as you set your goals.

Soil Preparation: Take some time to read the Bible and other Classics that teach about this specific virtue or principle. As you read or listen to others expound upon this virtue, clarify your own thoughts by taking notes, highlighting, circling, underlining, and emphasizing specific related ideas. Expand your insights and define specifics. Identify short quotes or declarations that speak to that virtue. Organize your thoughts into an action plan. Create a learning experience in your mind that will allow you to practice the virtue.

Cultivate and Nourish: Practice the new concept in a defined learning experience. Participate in mental role plays or visualize yourself teaching the concept. Examples of learning experiences include:

Practice the virtue for a few days or a few weeks. Record your observations and experiences.

Commit to memory a declaration, quote, or verse of scripture related to that virtue.

Use an MP3 or IPOD device to download a lecture or music that teaches or reinforces the virtue. Listen while you exercise, drive, work, etc.

​Capture the Sunshine: The sun symbol is in the center of the diagram to suggest the daily need for light from above to be included in every step. Take time each day to record moments of inspiration, to enjoy little things like a beautiful sunset or a baby's smile. Record ideas that come to mind to do good, to serve others, and to connect with family and friends. Follow through with these ideas by making obedience to impressions a top priority.

Weed it Out: Solidify the information in your mind and heart through review and visualization. Discard ideas or habits that run contrary to the principle or virtue. Summarize the things you have learned. Think about how you can apply it in different situations. Use your newly acquired understanding in your life as a leader, a servant, employee, family member, or friend. Record your thoughts in a journal. Create a tracking record to make notes of successes and set backs.

Share the Harvest: This is an opportunity to take the things you have learned and put it in your own words or your own creation. Write music, create a poem, present a lecture, or teach others. Create and share something related to the virtue. Give your knowledge away. The more you share your knowledge with others, the more it becomes yours.

​More Virtues

​As children read the stories in the McGuffey Readers they will be introduced to even more virtues that can be developed by using this process. Our McGuffey Reading program introduces these virtues as "heart potentials" as children read the stories in the McGuffey Second Reader. Click here to learn more.